Wire-compensator



(No Model.) N. RATGHFORD. 3 Sheets- Sheet 1.

WIRE GOMPENSATOR.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

V (No Model.)

NRATCHPORD. WIRE GOMPBNSATOR.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

NRATGHFORD.

WIRE GOMPBNSATOR.

No. 535,921. Patented Mar. 19, 1895. 1

NICHOLAS RATCHFORD, OF GREENVILLE, OHIO.

WIRE-COMPENSATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 535,921, dated March 19, 1895.

Application filed February 2, 1895.

To a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, NICHOLAS RAToHFoRD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greenville, in the county of Darke and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Wire-Compensators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of wire com pensatore and has particular relation to that class of wire compensators adapted to be used in conjunction with railway signal operating wires. j

The objects of my invention'are to provide an improved compensating device in which the slack of the wires with which said compensator is connected will be taken up, expansion and contraction provided for and the wires held at all times in a taut and operative position.

The further objects of my invention will be pointed out in detail hereinafter.

These objects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved compensator in position for use. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the forward end thereof. Fig.3 is an enlarged sectional view on line o: of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the compensator sections showing the same removed from' its supporting frame work. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of one of the compensator sections showing the arms thereof disengaged from the adjusting or draft block. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the block and its connections. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view on line y y of Fig. 4, and Fig. 9 is a view in elevation of a semaphore signal, with which the operating wires which lead to the compensators are connected.

Similar numerals refer to similar` parts throughout the severall views.

In carrying out my invention I employ one or more compensator sections which are supported and arranged as hereinafter described. In the construction of each of these compensator sections I employ two normally parallel bars 1, these bars being rigidly joined at one end of the section by meansof an intervening block 2 which is provided on its inner and` outer end with projecting eyes 3 and 4 and Serial No. 537,045. (No model.)

which is provided on opposite sides with projecting pins 2a. In their rear halves the inner faces of the bars 1 are provided with inwardly projecting and rearwardly inclined ratchet teeth as indicated at 5. As indicated at 6 the rear ends of the bars 1 are bent outward and terminate in short extensions 7 in the direction of the length of said bars. Each of these end portions 7 has riveted or otherwise secured thereon a head or cap portion 8, the latter being provided adjacent to its outer end with oppositely located lateral pin projections 9. Between the toothed portions of the bars 1 I provide an adjusting or draft block 10, the opposite sides of which are provided with teeth which, as shown in the drawings, are adapted to engage with the teeth 5 of said bars. This draft block is provided on its outer sides with oppositely located pin pro-l jections 11 and the opposite ends of said blocks have formed therewith, projecting eye pieces or attaching lugs 12 and 13. With the lug or eye piece 12 is connected the rear end of a coil spring 14, the forward end of which is connected with the forward end block lug 3. Vith the draft block eye piece or lug 13 is connected, as indicated at 15, the end of one of the signal operating wires 16 which leads outward between the rear portions of the bars 1 and is connected with the usual form of operating levers or other mechanism.

Oompensating sections formed as above described are, as indicated in Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, adapted to be movably supported as hereinafter described within a framework 18. In the construction of this framework I employ end frame pieces 19 and 2O which are substantially of the inverted U or stirrup form, the ends of the vertical arms thereof being preferably provided at their lower ends with outturned fiange portions 2l to facilitate the attachment of said frame pieces to a suitable base.

22 represents an intermediate frame piece which corresponds in form with tlne frame pieces 19 and 2O and which is arranged, as

shown, at a point between the latter. The

vertical arms or sides of the frame pieces 19, 2O and 22 are connected by parallel longitudinally arranged frame bars 23, the latter being arranged in pairs and the bars of each pair being arranged at such distance apart as to form between them desirable guideways 24 for the free passage of the pins 9 while the spaces between the pairs of bars are adapted to provide as hereinafter described, similar guideways for the projecting pins 1l. At their rear ends the pairs of bars 23 are inclined from each other or made flaring as indicated at 25 in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The compensator sections which are shown in detail in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings and which are constructed substantially as hereinbefore described, are adapted as indicated in Figs. l, 2 and 3 of 'the drawings, to be supportedin desired relative arrangement within the framework l8, the draft block pins ll and block pins 2L supporting said sections movably within said framework by bearing between the pairs of bars 23, while the laterally projecting pins 9 bear within the guideways 24.

With the eye projections 4 of the upper and lower compensator sections, are connected respectively the rear ends of signal operating wires 27 and 28, said wires leading to and being connected in the manner hereinafter described with a desirable form of semaphore or signal.

In order to more fully illustrate the uses of my device, I have shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, a semaphore or railway signal with which said wires are shown connected as hereinafter' described. Of this signal, 29 represents the signal post which may be provided with the usual form of bell crank signal indicated at 30, said signal consisting of the longer signal blade arm 3l and short light supporting arm 32 and tho signal thus formed being pivotally connected in the usual manner with the post 29. At a point below the signal 30 is fulcruined to the post 29 a cross arm 33 one of the outwardly projecting ends of which is provided with a weight 34 which is adapted to normally incline said arm end downward. This Weighted arm portion is jointedly connected with the short arm 32 of the signal 30 by a connecting rod 35. The weighted arm portion has depending' therefrom a bar 3G with which is connected as indicated at 37 the operating wire 28. The depending bar 36 has pivotally connected therewith one end of a rod 40, the outer end of the latter extending loosely through oppositely located openings formed in parallel depending lugs 4l on the arm 33. The rod 40 is provided with a shoulder 42 between which and the inner lug 4l is coiled a spring 43. Between the lugs 4l the outer end portion of the rod is made to pass loosely through a loop or eye in the extremity of the wire 27. These wires 28 and 27 pass downward to suitable pulleys 45 mounted on opposite sides of the post 29 from which point said wires lead to the compensator sections. In order to illustrate the operation of my device, I will assume that the lever or other mechanism which is connected with the wire 16 of the upper compensator section and which is designed to effect a pulling operation of the wire 27, has been thrown and that the pull thus exerted on said wire 16 has resulted in the pins 9 of said upper compensator section being made to travel into and separated by the inclined portions of their guide-ways at the rear end of the frame, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. This separation of said guide pins 9 must result, as'will readily be seen, in a suflicient springing apart of the bars l to effect a disengagement of the block l0 therewith, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. It is evident that the pull thus exerted on the wire 27 has resulted in the weighted end ofthe arm being thrown upward to the position shown in the drawings and this upward movement of said arm has resulted in the signal being turned with its blade in clined downward, as shown. Through this upward pull of one end of the arm 33, the wire 28 is drawn upward resulting in the lower compensator section with which said wire is engaged, being drawn toward the front end portion of the frame 18, as indicated in Fig. l. It is evident that while the block l0 is disengaged from the teeth of the bars l the spring 14 may act to take up any slacl; of the wires or admit of the expansion thereof.

When the pull is exerted on the wire i6 of the lower compensator section in order to reverse the position of the signal, it is evident that said pull will only exert an influence on the spring 14 of the upper section until the pins 9 of said upper section have traveled into the straight portion of their guideways, at which point the block of the upper section will engage with the side bars l and the pull will thus be directly upon the compensator body and not upon the spring thereof.

From this construction and operation, it will readily be seen that while the springs of my improved compensator provide a means of compensating for the contraction and expansion of the wires, the force of the operating pulls in throwing the signals is against a non-resilient body, with the result that in throwing a signal no lost motion is encountered as the tant wires will impart a direct movement to the signals. In this manner it will thus be seen that the entire movement of the operating levers will be utilized and that the signals which are thrown thereby, will be positively operated. It will also be be observed that an independent compensation is provided for the wires.

In case the wire 28 should by-any means become broken, it is evident that the spring 43 on the rod 40 will operate to force the latter outward until the wire 27 is disengaged therefrom, thus providing a means for automatically releasing the engagement of the Wire 27 with the signal operating mechanism and resulting in the weighted end\of the arm 33 dropping and throwing the semaphore to a dangerl position. In case the wire 27 should break and thus release the latter from cons nection with the bar 33, it is evident that said bar would through the operation of its IOO IIO

weighted end 34 readily throw the semaphore to the danger position.

In the above manner, it is obvious that a breaking of either of the signal wires will result in the semaphore being thrown to a danger position where it will remain as a warning.

From the construction and operation which I have shown and described, it will be seen that my improved wire compensating mechanism is comparatively simple and ofsuch construction as to insure positive operation.

Although but two of the compensator sections are shown and described herein, it is evident that I may employ the desired number of such sections as may be required by the number of wires in use.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In awire compensator the combination with the bars l having their forward ends connected, of a draft block between said bars adapted to engage therewith, a spring between said draft block and the connected ends of said bars and means for springing the detached ends of said bars apart and disengaging the draft block therefrom, as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a wire compensator the combination with a rigid elongated frame, having longitudinal guideways therein, said guideways having diverging rear terminations, of one or more compensator sections movably spported within said frame, each of said sections consisting of two longitudinally arranged bars united at one end, pins projecting from the separated ends of said bars, a draft block having a normally toothed engagement with said bars and a spring between the draft block and the united ends of said bars, said end pins adapted to travel within said frame guide- Way, substantially as specified.

3. In a wire compensator the combination with a rigid elongated frame having longitudinal guideways therein, a portion of said guideways having diverging rear terminations, of one or more compensator sections, each-of said sections consisting of two longitudinally arranged bars united at one end, pins 9 projecting from the separated ends of said bars, a draft block having a normally toothed engagement with said bars, oppositely located pins ll on said block and corresponding pins 22l projecting from the united ends of said bars and a spring between the draft block and said united bar ends, said pins 9, 11 and 2a adapted to travel within as described said frame guideways, substantially as and for the purpose specilied.

4. In a wire compensator for xed railway signals the combination with a compensator frame, sliding compensator sections' arranged therein, wire connections 16 between said compensator sections and operating mechanism and signal wires 27 and 28 also connected with said compensator sections, of a semaphore post, a pivoted semaphore thereon, a pivoted bar 33 on said post, a weight on one end of said bar, guide lugs 4l depending from the opposite end of said bar, a rod connection 35 between the semaphore and bar 33, an arm 36 depending from the bar 33, a rod 40 having a pivotal connection with the arm 36 at one end and having its remaining end portion detachably inserted within the lugs 4:1, a shoulder 42 on the rod 4:0 and a spring between said shoulder and one of said lugs 41, said wire 28 having a connection with said arm 36 and said wire 27 having a detachable connection as described with the rod 40 between said rods 4l, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a wire compensator the combination with a rigid elongated frame having longitudinal guideways therein, said guideways having diverging rear terminations, one or more compensator sections movably supported within said frame, each of said sections comprising two longitudinally arranged bars united at one end, pins projecting from the separated ends of said bars as described, a draft block having a normally toothed engagement with said bars and a spring between the draft block and the united ends of said bars, said end pins adapted to travel within said frame guideways, of a signal post, a semaphore pivoted thereto, a bar 33 pivoted on said post, a jointed connection between said bar and semaphore, wires 27 and 28 connected with said bar 33 on opposite sides of its pivot point and connected with the forward ends of said compensator sections and operating Wires connected with said draft blocks, Y substantially as and for the purpose specified.

NICHOLAS RATCHFORD.

C. C. SHEPHERD, C. M. VooRHEEs.

IOO 

